New simulations suggest Earth’s Moon could have formed within five hours after the giant impact, depending on the temperature and strength of the young worlds.
New simulations by scientists have revealed that the Moon may have formed much faster than previously thought following the collision between Earth and the Mars-sized planet Theia approximately 4.5 billion years ago. Under certain conditions, it was determined that the Moon may have emerged intact as early as 5 hours after the collision.
The Moon, Earth's only satellite, did not take years or centuries to form, but may have taken its initial shape in just five hours, a new study suggests. Earth and the ancient moon 'Theia'...